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Biomedical subjects

W D Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to W D Wilson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Purpura haemorrhagica in 53 horses.

The medical records of 53 horses with purpura haemorrhagica were reviewed. Seventeen of them had been exposed to or infected with Streptococcus equi, nine had been infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, five had been vaccinated with S. equi M protein, five had had a respiratory infection of unknown aetiology, and two had open wounds; the other 15 cases had no history of recent viral or bacterial infection. The horses were between six months and 19 years of age (mean 8.4 years). The predominant clinical signs were well demarcated subcutaneous oedema of all four limbs and haemorrhages on the visible mucous membranes; other signs included depression, anorexia, fever, tachycardia, tachypnoea, reluctance to move, drainage from lymph nodes, exudation of serum from the skin, colic, epistaxis and weight loss. Haematological and biochemical abnormalities commonly detected were anaemia, neutrophilia, hyperproteinaemia, hyperfibrinogenaemia, hyperglobulinaemia and high activities of muscle enzymes. All of the horses were treated with corticosteroids; 42 also received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and 26 received antimicrobial drugs. Selected cases received special nursing care, including hydrotherapy and bandaging of the limbs. Most of the horses were treated for more than seven days and none of them relapsed. Forty-nine of the horses survived, one died and three were euthanased, either because their severe clinical disease failed to respond to treatment or because they developed secondary complications. Two of the four non-survivors had been vaccinated against S. equi with a product containing the M protein, one had a S. equi infection and the other had a respiratory infection of undetermined aetiology.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2001

Recognition of ATGA sequences by the unfused aromatic dication DB293 forming stacked dimers in the DNA minor groove.

Furamidine and related diamidines represent a promising series of drugs active against widespread parasites, in particular the Pneumocystic carinii pathogen. In this series, the phenylfuranbenzimidazole diamidine derivative DB293 was recently identified as the first unfused aromatic dication capable of forming stacked dimers in the DNA minor groove of GC-containing sequences. Here we present a detailed biochemical and biophysical characterization of the DNA sequence recognition properties of DB293. Three complementary footprinting techniques using DNase I, Fe(II)-EDTA, and an anthraquinone photonuclease were employed to locate binding sites for DB293 in different DNA restriction fragments. Two categories of sites were identified by DNase I footprinting: (i) 4/5 bp sequences containing contiguous A.T pairs, such as 5'-AAAA and 5'-ATTA; and (ii) sequences including the motif 5'-ATGA.5'-TCAT. In particular, a 13-bp sequence including two contiguous ATGA motifs provided a highly preferential recognition site for DB293. Quantitative footprinting analysis revealed better occupancy of the 5'-ATGA site compared to the AT-rich sites. Preferential binding of DB293 to ATGA sites was also observed with other DNA fragments and was confirmed independently by means of hydroxyl radical footprinting generated by the Fe(II)-EDTA system, as well as by a photofootprinting approach using the probe anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS). In addition, this photosensitive reagent revealed the presence of sites of enhanced cutting specific to DB293. This molecule, but not other minor groove binders such as netropsin, induces specific local structural changes in DNA near certain binding sites, as independently shown by DNase I and the AQS probe. Recognition of the ATGA sequence by DB293 was investigated further using melting temperature experiments and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The use of different hairpin oligonucleotides showed that DB293 can interact with AT sites via the formation of 1:1 drug-DNA complexes but binds much more strongly, and cooperatively, to ATGA-containing sequences to form 2:1 drug-DNA complexes. DB293 binds strongly to ATGA sequences with no significant context dependence but is highly sensitive to the orientation of the target sequence. The formation of 2:1 DB293/DNA complexes is abolished by reversing the sequence 5'-ATGA-->3'-ATGA, indicating that directionality plays an important role in the drug-DNA recognition process. Similarly, a single mutation in the A[T-->G]GA sequence is very detrimental to the dimer interactions of DB293. From the complementary footprinting and SPR data, the 5'-ATGA sequence is identified as being a highly favored dimer binding site for DB293. The data provide clues for delineating a recognition code for diamidine-type minor groove binding agents, and ultimately to guide the rational design of gene regulatory molecules targeted to specific sites of the genetic material.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2001

Influence of the dynamic positions of cations on the structure of the DNA minor groove: sequence-dependent effects.

Different models for minor groove structures predict that the conformation is essentially fixed by sequence and has an influence on local ion distribution or alternatively that temporal positions of ions around the minor groove can affect the structure if they neutralize cross-strand phosphate charges. Our previous studies show that the minor groove in an AATT dodecamer responds to local sodium ion positions and is narrow when ions neutralize cross-strand phosphate-phosphate charges [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 10513-10520]. Previous results from a number of laboratories have shown that G-tracts often have a wider minor groove than A-tracts, but they do not indicate whether this is due to reduced flexibility or differences in ion interactions. We have undertaken a molecular dynamics study of a d(TATAGGCCTATA) duplex to answer this question. The results show that the G-tract has the same amplitude of minor groove fluctuations as the A-tract sequence but that it has fewer ion interactions that neutralize cross-strand phosphate charges. These results demonstrate that differences in time-average groove width between A- and G-tracts are due to differences in ion interactions at the minor groove. When ions neutralize the cross-strand phosphates, the minor groove is narrow. When there are no neutralizing ion interactions, the minor groove is wide. The population of structures with no ion interactions is larger with the GGCC than with the AATT duplex, and GGCC has a wider time-average minor groove in agreement with experiment.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Novel dications with unfused aromatic systems: trithiophene and trifuran derivatives of furimidazoline.

We report the synthesis, interaction with DNA, topoisomerase II inhibition, and cytotoxicity of two novel unfused aromatic dications derived from the antimicrobial agent furimidazoline. The central diphenylfuran core of furimidazoline has been replaced with a trithiophene (DB358) or a trifuran (DB669) unit and the terminal imidazoline groups were preserved. The strength and mode of binding of the drugs to nucleic acids were investigated by complementary spectroscopic techniques including spectrophotometric, surface plasmon resonance, circular and linear dichroism measurements. The trifuran derivative forms intercalation complexes with double-stranded DNA, whereas the mode of binding of the trithiophene derivative varies depending on the drug/DNA ratio, as independently confirmed by NMR spectroscopic studies performed with (A-T)7 and (G-C)7 oligomers. Two-dimensional NMR data provided a molecular model for the binding of DB358 within the minor groove of the AATT sequence of the decanucleotide d(GCGAATTCGC)(2). DNase I footprinting experiments confirmed the sequence-dependent binding of DB358 to DNA. The trithiophene derivative interacts preferentially with AT-rich sequences at low concentrations, but can accomodate GC sites at higher concentrations. DNA relaxation assays revealed that DB358 stimulated DNA cleavage by topoisomerase II, in contrast to DB669. The substitution of N-alkylamidines for the imidazoline terminal groups abolished the capacity of the drug to poison topoisomerase II. At the cellular level, flow cytometry analysis indicated that DB358, which is about six times more cytotoxic than the trifuran analogue, induced a significant accumulation of HL-60 human leukemia cells in the G2/M phase. The incorporation of thiophene heterocycles appears as a convenient procedure to limit the strict AT selectivity of dications containing an extended unfused aromatic system and to design cytotoxic DNA intercalating agents acting as poisons for human topoisomerase II.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed2001

Diguanidino and "reversed" diamidino 2,5-diarylfurans as antimicrobial agents.

Dicationic 2,5-bis(4-guanidinophenyl)furans 5a-5f, 2,5-bis[4-(arylimino)aminophenyl]furans 6a-6b and 6e-6k, and 2,5-bis[4-(alkylimino)aminophenyl]furans 6c-6d have been synthesized starting from 2,5-bis[tri-n-butylstannyl]furan. Thermal melting studies with poly dA*dT and the duplex oligomer d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 demonstrated high DNA binding affinities for a number of the compounds. The binding affinities are highly dependent on structure and are significantly affected by substituents both on the phenyl rings of the 2,5-diphenylfuran nucleus and on the cationic centers. Of the 17 novel dicationic compounds synthesized, six (6a, 6b, 5b, 6f, 6h, 6i) exhibited MICs of 2 microg/mL or less versus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Of the compounds screened against Candida albicans, three gave MICs of 2 microg/mL or less (5b, 6h, 6i), and two (5b, 6i) were fungicidal, unlike a standard antifungal drug fluconazole, which was fungistatic. In addition, one of the tested compounds (6i) exhibited a MIC of <1 microg/mL against Aspergillus fumigatus, while also being a fungicidal against this organism. Finally, when evaluated against an expanded fungal panel, compound 6h showed good activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and Rhizopus arrhizus.

Amidines↗
PubMed2001

Structure-based design of selective and potent G quadruplex-mediated telomerase inhibitors.

The telomerase enzyme is a potential therapeutic target in many human cancers. A series of potent inhibitors has been designed by computer modeling, which exploit the unique structural features of quadruplex DNA. These 3,6,9-trisubstituted acridine inhibitors are predicted to interact selectively with the human DNA quadruplex structure, as a means of specifically inhibiting the action of human telomerase in extending the length of single-stranded telomeric DNA. The anilino substituent at the 9-position of the acridine chromophore is predicted to lie in a third groove of the quadruplex. Calculated relative binding energies predict enhanced selectivity compared with earlier 3,6-disubstituted compounds, as a result of this substituent. The ranking order of energies is in accord with equilibrium binding constants for quadruplex measured by surface plasmon resonance techniques, which also show reduced duplex binding compared with the disubstituted compounds. The 3,6,9-trisubstututed acridines have potent in vitro inhibitory activity against human telomerase, with EC(50) values of up to 60 nM.

Acridines↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of the influence of compound structure on stacked-dimer formation in the DNA minor groove.

The Human Genome Project as well as sequencing of the genomes of other organisms offers a wealth of DNA targets for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications, and it is important to develop additional DNA binding motifs to fully exploit the potential of this new information. We have recently found that an aromatic dication, DB293, with an amidine-phenyl-furan-benzimidazole-amidine structure can recognize specific sequences of DNA by binding in the minor groove as a dimer [Wang, L., Bailly, C., Kumar, A., Ding, D., Bajic, M., Boykin, D. W., and Wilson, W. D. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97, 12-16]. The dimer binding is strong, highly cooperative and, in contrast to many closely related heterocyclic dications, has both GC and AT base pairs in the minor groove binding site. The aromatic heterocycle stacked dimer is quite different in structure from the polyamide-lexitropsin type compounds, and it is a dication while all lexitropsin dimers are monocations. The heterocyclic dimer represents only the second small molecule class that can recognize mixed sequences of DNA. To test the structural limits on the new type of complex, it is important to probe the influence of compound charge, chemical groups, and structural features. The effects of these compound molecular variations on DNA complex formation with several DNA sequences were evaluated by DNase I footprinting, CD and UV spectroscopy, thermal melting, and quantitative analysis with surface plasmon resonance biosensor methods. Conversion of the amidines to guanidinium groups does permit the cooperative dimer to form but removal of one amidine or addition of an alkyl group to the amidine strongly inhibited dimer formation. Changing the phenyl of DB293 to a benzimidazole or the benzimidazole to a phenyl or benzofuran also inhibited dimer formation. The results show that formation of the minor groove stacked-dimer complex is very sensitive to compound structure. The discovery of the aromatic dimer mode offers new opportunities to enhance the specificity and expand the range of applications of the compounds that target DNA.

Amidines↗
PubMed2001

A heterocyclic inhibitor of the REV-RRE complex binds to RRE as a dimer.

As part of a search for organic compounds that selectively target RNA, we found that specific diphenylfuran derivatives, which are related to compounds that bind to the DNA minor groove, bind very strongly to RNA in a manner very sensitive to the structure of the compounds. In extended development of the diphenylfuran series, we found that a tetracationic heterocycle containing a phenyl-furan-benzimidazole unfused aromatic system, DB340, exhibits pronounced selectivity for the RRE RNA stem-loop from HIV-1. We report here RNA footprinting, spectroscopic analysis, affinity determinations, and initial NMR structural results of the complex. The results indicate that DB340 binds to RRE in a highly structured and cooperative complex at a 2:1 DB340 to RRE ratio. Overlap in the NMR spectra prevents detailed description of binding interactions at this time, but we are able to place DB340 in the RNA minor groove. Additionally, footprinting results and studies with mutant RRE sequences indicate that the internal loop of RRE is required for specific binding of DB340 as with the Rev protein. These results provide exciting new ideas for rational drug design with RNA as is now common with DNA and proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of the HIV-1 rev-RRE complex formation by unfused aromatic cations.

RNA viruses cause a wide range of human diseases. Development of new agents to target such viruses is an active area of research. Towards this goal, a series of diphenylfuran cations as potential inhibitors of the Rev-RRE complex have been designed and synthesized. Analysis of the interaction of the diphenylfurans with RRE and TAR RNA model systems by gel shift assays indicates that they exhibit both sequence and structure-dependent binding modes. Our results show a strong interaction between the diphenylfuran ring system and RRE bases, while the TAR interactions are much weaker with the compounds that are the best inhibitors of Rev-RRE.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed2001

Sequence-dependent binding of bis-amidine carbazole dications to DNA.

The conventional wisdom argues that DNA intercalators possess a condensed polyaromatic ring whereas DNA minor groove binders generally contain unfused aromatic heterocycles, frequently separated by amide bonds. Recently, this view has been challenged with the discovery of powerful intercalating agents formed by unfused aromatic molecules and groove binders containing a polyaromatic nucleus. Bis-amidinocarbazoles belong to this later category of drugs having a planar chromophore and capable of reading the genetic information accessible within the minor groove of AT-rich sequences [Tanious, F.A., Ding, D., Patrick, D.A., Bailly, C., Tidwell, R.R. & Wilson, W.D. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 12091-12101]. But in addition to the tight binding to AT sites, we show here that bis-amidinocarbazoles can also interact with GC sites. The extent and mode of binding of 2,7 and 3,6 substituted amidinocarbazoles to AT and GC sequences were investigated by complementary biochemical and biophysical methods. Absorption, fluorescence, melting temperature and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements indicate that the position of the two amidine groups on the carbazole ring influences significantly the drug-DNA interaction. SPR and DNase I footprinting data confirm the AT-preference of the compounds and provide useful information on their additional interaction with GC sequences. The 3,6-carbazole binds approximately twice as strongly to the GC-containing hairpin oligomer than the 2,7-regioisomer. The high tendency of the 3,6 compound to intercalate into different types of DNA containing G.C base pairs is shown by electric linear dichroism. This work completes our understanding of the sequence-dependent DNA binding properties of carbazole dications.

Amidines↗
PubMed2001

Passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulin isotype antibodies against tetanus and influenza and their effect on the response of foals to vaccination.

Influenza and tetanus-specific antibodies of the IgG sub-isotypes are posively transferred to foals via colostrum and inhibit their response to inactivated influenza vaccines and tetanus toxoid. High titres of influenza antibodies of IgGa and IgGb subisotypes and tetanus antibodies of the IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) subisotypes were detected in postsucking serum samples collected from foals born to mares that had received booster doses of multicomponent vaccines during the last 2 months of gestation. Thereafter, titres declined in an exponential manner but were still detectable in all foals at age 26 weeks, regardless of whether they had been vaccinated prior to age 26 weeks. Mean +/- s.e. half-life of decline of influenza IgGa antibodies (27.0 +/- 2.3 days) was significantly shorter than that of influenza IgGb antibodies (39.1 +/- 2.7 days; P<0.005). Tetanus IgGa and IgGb antibodies declined with half-lives of 28.8 +/- 3.0 and 34.8 +/- 5.1 days, respectively. Titres of tetanus IgG(T) antibodies were substantially higher than those of influenza IgG(T) antibodies in postsucking samples and remained so through age 26 weeks, declining with a half-life of approximately 35 days. Postsucking titres of tetanus and influenza antibodies of the IgA isotype were low and declined rapidly to undetectable levels. Yearlings showed significant increases in titre of influenza IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) subisotype antibodies but no increase in influenza IgA antibodies in response to 2 doses of multicomponent vaccines containing tetanus toxoid and inactivated influenza A-1 and A-2 antigens. Yearlings also showed strong tetanus IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) subisotype responses to one dose of vaccine and a substantial further rise in titre in response to administration of a second dose 3 weeks later, but failed to show an increase in titre of tetanus IgA antibodies. The influenza and tetanus IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) subisotype responses of 6-month-old foals to vaccination followed the same pattern as those shown by yearlings but titres were generally lower. In contrast, 3-month-old foals failed to show increases in titre of either influenza or tetanus IgG subisotypes in response to 2 doses of vaccine and generally needed 1-3 additional booster doses of vaccine to achieve titres similar to those achieved by yearlings after 2 doses. Based on the finding that maternal antibodies exert a significant inhibitory effect on the response of foals to tetanus toxoid and inactivated influenza antigens, it is recommended that primary immunisation of foals born to vaccinated mares should not commence before age 6 months.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Amplification of pepleomycin-mediated DNA cleavage and apoptosis by unfused aromatic cations.

An important approach to improve chemotherapy of members of the bleomycin (BLM) family of antibiotics is to find compounds (amplifiers) that enhance the activity of BLM-mediated DNA cleavage and apoptosis. Using a DNA-sequencing technique and pulsed field gel electrophoresis, we have investigated whether BLM-mediated cleavage of isolated and cellular DNA is amplifed by three compounds (RW-12, LS-20, 1S-5Me) which have a conformationally flexible, unfused polyaromatic system and cationic side chain in the molecules. RW-12 enhanced most effectively both pepleomycin (PEM)-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. The order of the maximum enhancing effect of amplifiers on PEM-mediated DNA damage is RW-12 > LS-20 > 1S-5Me. RW-12 amplified PEM-mediated DNA cleavage most effectively not only in vitro but also in cultured cells. We have reported that the order of the DNA binding constants of these compounds is RW-12 > LS-20 > 1S-5Me. In this study, we found a good correlation between PEM-mediated cleavage of isolated DNA and cellular DNA. These results suggest that BLM amplifiers bind to DNA and by doing so enhance drug-mediated DNA degradation, ultimately leading to apoptosis. The present study on amplifiers of anticancer agents shows a novel approach to the potentially effective anticancer therapy.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2000

Effects of compound structure on carbazole dication-DNA complexes: tests of the minor-groove complex models.

Carbazole dications have shown excellent activity against opportunistic infections, but they are quite different in structure from previously studied unfused aromatic cations that function by targeting the DNA minor groove. In a previous report [Tanious, F. A., Ding, D., Patrick, D. A., Tidwell, R. R., and Wilson, W. D. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 15315-15325] we showed that, despite their fused ring structure, the carbazoles also bind in A/T sequences of the DNA minor groove and we proposed models for the carbazole-DNA complexes with the carbazole nitrogen facing out of the groove for 3,6 substituted compounds but into the groove in 2,7 carbazoles. To test and refine the models, carbazole-N-methyl substituted derivatives have been synthesized in both the 3,6 and 2,7 series as well as a new 2,6 substituted NH derivative that is intermediate in structure. Footprinting results indicate a broad AT specificity of carbazole binding and a pattern in agreement with a minor groove complex. Surface plasmon resonance biosensor analysis of carbazole binding to an oligomer with an AATT central sequence indicated that the 2,7 NH compound has the largest binding constant. Both the 3,6 NH and NMe compounds bind with similar equilibrium constants that are less than for the 2,7 NH compound. The 2,7 NMe compound has the lowest binding constant of all the carbazoles. Spectroscopic results are also similar for the two 3,6 derivatives but are quite different for the 2,7 NH and NMe carbazole dications. Structural analysis of carbazole complexes with an AATT sequence by 2D NMR methods also supported a minor groove complex of the carbazoles in orientations in agreement with the previously proposed models. From these results, it is clear that the fused ring carbazoles can bind strongly in the DNA minor groove with a broad A/T specificity and that the 2,7 and 3,6 substituted carbazoles bind to the minor groove in opposite orientations.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2000

Determination of the refractive index increments of small molecules for correction of surface plasmon resonance data.

The refractive index increments (RIIs) of several important low-molecular-weight compounds that bind to DNA or RNA were determined with a differential refractometer for correction of data obtained on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors. Although the ability to investigate small molecule-macromolecule interactions by SPR is relatively new, the technique is rapidly becoming a primary method to screen focused combinatorial libraries and to quantitatively characterize the interactions between compounds identified as binders and target macromolecules. The most widely used SPR analysis software, BIAevaluation (Biacore, Inc.), assumes that the RIIs of ligand and macromolecule are identical. While the assumption is reasonable for studies involving like molecules such as protein-protein interactions, results presented here demonstrate that RII values for small molecules can be significantly different than those of protein or nucleic acid receptors. The results also show that the RII values can vary greatly depending on the structure of the small molecule. Indeed, the RIIs of the molecules investigated here differ by a factor of 2. Any difference in the RII of interacting molecules must be considered for complete analysis of SPR data. Failure to correct for RII differences can result in serious error in data interpretation, especially for systems involving a ligand:receptor stoichiometry greater than 1. The results serve as the beginning of an SPR correction database for the RIIs of small molecules. Additionally, the results can be used to approximate the RIIs of a variety of other small molecules.

Molecular Weight↗
PubMed2000

A thermodynamic and structural analysis of DNA minor-groove complex formation.

As part of an effort to develop a better understanding of the structural and thermodynamic principles of DNA minor groove recognition, we have investigated complexes of three diphenylfuran dications with the d(CGCGAATTCGCG)(2) duplex. The parent compound, furamidine (DB75), has two amidine substituents while DB244 has cyclopentyl amidine substituents and DB226 has 3-pentyl amidines. The structure for the DB244-DNA complex is reported here and is compared to the structure of the DB75 complex. Crystals were not obtained with DB226 but information from the DB75 and DB244 structures as well as previous NMR results on DB226 indicate that all three compounds bind in the minor groove at the AATT site of the duplex. DB244 and DB75 penetrate to the floor of the groove and form hydrogen bonds with T8 on one strand and T20 on the opposite strand while DB226 forms a complex with fewer interactions. Binding studies by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) yield -delta G degrees values in the order DB244>DB75>DB226 that are relatively constant with temperature. The equilibrium binding constants for DB244 are 10-20 times greater than that for DB226. Isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) experiments indicate that, in contrast to delta G degrees, delta H degrees varies considerably with temperature to yield large negative delta Cp degrees values. The thermodynamic results, analyzed in terms of structures of the DNA complexes, provide an explanation of why DB244 binds more strongly to DNA than DB75, while DB266 binds more weakly. All three compounds have a major contribution to binding from hydrophobic interactions but the hydrophobic term is most favorable for DB244. DB244 also has strong contributions from molecular interactions in its DNA complex and all of these factors combine to give it the largest-delta G degrees for binding. Although the factors that influence the energetics of minor groove interactions are varied and complex, results from the literature coupled with those on the furan derivatives indicate that there are some common characteristics for minor groove recognition by unfused heterocyclic cations that can be used in molecular design.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Risk of adverse effects in pneumonic foals treated with erythromycin versus other antibiotics: 143 cases (1986-1996).

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether foals with pneumonia that were treated with erythromycin, alone or in combination with rifampin or gentamicin, had a higher risk of developing adverse effects, compared with foals treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS), penicillin G procaine (PGP), or a combination of TMS and PGP (control foals). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 143 foals < 240 days old. PROCEDURE: Information on age, sex, breed, primary drug treatment, total days of treatment with the primary drug, and whether the foal developed diarrhea, hyperthermia, or respiratory distress was obtained from the medical records. Relative risk (RR) and attributable risk (AR) were calculated to compare risk of adverse reactions between foals treated with erythromycin and control foals. RESULTS: Only 3 (4.3%) control foals developed diarrhea; none developed hyperthermia or respiratory distress. Foals treated with erythromycin had an 8-fold risk (RR, 8.3) of developing diarrhea, compared with control foals, and increased risks of hyperthermia (AR, 25%) and respiratory distress (AR, 15%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that use of erythromycin to treat foals with pneumonia was associated with an increased risk of diarrhea, hyperthermia, and respiratory distress, compared with use of TMS or PGP.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Specific molecular recognition of mixed nucleic acid sequences: an aromatic dication that binds in the DNA minor groove as a dimer.

Phenylamidine cationic groups linked by a furan ring (furamidine) and related compounds bind as monomers to AT sequences of DNA. An unsymmetric derivative (DB293) with one of the phenyl rings of furamidine replaced with a benzimidazole has been found by quantitative footprinting analyses to bind to GC-containing sites on DNA more strongly than to pure AT sequences. NMR structural analysis and surface plasmon resonance binding results clearly demonstrate that DB293 binds in the minor groove at specific GC-containing sequences of DNA in a highly cooperative manner as a stacked dimer. Neither the symmetric bisphenyl nor bisbenzimidazole analogs of DB293 bind significantly to the GC containing sequences. DB293 provides a paradigm for design of compounds for specific recognition of mixed DNA sequences and extends the boundaries for small molecule-DNA recognition.

Amidines↗